Bangladesh Air Force 2040: Strategic Blueprint and Force Employment Doctrine

Reading Time: 3 minutes 1. Strategic Vision The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) 2040 modernisation plan envisions transforming the BAF into a regionally potent, technologically advanced, and fully networked force capable of securing national airspace, projecting power over land and sea, and integrating effectively with joint force operations. With a total manpower of 60,000 and a budget of $8 billion, the BAF will operate from 8 full air bases and 8 forward operating bases (FOBs), deploying a total of 96 multirole fighters, UAVs, AEW&C assets, integrated air defence systems, and modern transport and rotary platforms. 2. Threat Perception The primary external threats to Bangladesh’s airspace and national sovereignty are driven by strategic dynamics along its eastern and western frontiers: India: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is one of the largest and most advanced in the region, with over 600 combat aircraft, AEW&C platforms, and a layered SAM network including S-400 systems.